Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Why is my 2002 dodge grand caravan leaking oil?

My 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan es is leaking oil. Does anyone know why and how much it might cost to fix? My Husband already changed the screw for the oil pan.Why is my 2002 dodge grand caravan leaking oil?you really need to locate the leak first ,try wiping it off and see if you can see where its coming from, an oil leak on one of those vans can cost anywhere from 100 bucks to repair all the way up to 5-600 depending on where its leaking from,if you lay something under it and can determine where its coming from then we can help you with it,if its a rear main seal and the transmission has to be pulled out that can easily cost around 5-600 to get repaired,so locating the exact point of it is real important,good luck.Why is my 2002 dodge grand caravan leaking oil?Contrary to popular belief, cars do not use up engine oil. If your car is consistently low on oil, you either have an oil leak or an engine that's burning oil. You can detect the latter condition by blue smoke coming out of the tailpipe. Cars that burn a lot of oil are candidates for engine rebuilding. Although you may not be able to fix an oil leak, you can help diagnose it, saving your mechanic's time (and your money).

HERES HOW TO FIX IT

Things You檒l Need:

Large Piece Of Cardboard

Rag

Flashlight

Step1Open the hood and look for obvious signs of wetness. Oil leaks usually come from a gasket: a piece of material, usually rubber, cork or silicone, that creates a seal between two metal parts. Look for places where different parts of the engine are bolted together.

Step2Inspect underneath the car with a flashlight for signs of wetness. Oil here could be from a leak under the engine, or it could be collecting from a leak higher up. Wipe the suspect areas clean with a rag so you can inspect them closely and pinpoint the leak's source.

Step3Consider getting the engine professionally steam-cleaned at an auto-repair shop if oil has leaked everywhere. This will make it easier for you or your mechanic to locate the leak.

Step4Place a large piece of cardboard on the ground under the engine. Make marks on the cardboard to indicate its location in relation to the tires and the car's front and rear. Leave it in place overnight. Use rocks to hold it down if you park outside. (Some oil leaks occur only when the engine is running, but the cardboard method described here will still help locate these kind of leaks, because the oil will drip down.)

Step5Check the cardboard in the morning to determine the amount of leakage and where it's dripping from.

Step6You may find other types of leaks. Motor oil out of the bottle is the color of honey. Oil that has been in the engine for a little while is dark brown or even black. Coolant is green and smells sweet. Brake fluid is very light brown (almost clear) and very slippery. Automatic-transmission fluid and power-steering fluid are usually red.Why is my 2002 dodge grand caravan leaking oil?usually on those carvans they are notorious for the rear main seal leaking i see it everyday where the engine and tranmission meet eachother and alos check the oiloan gasket and both valve cover gaskets